Saturday, February 27, 2016

For most of my sewing that I do from patterns, I use the pattern once- somehow the luster of that pattern is gone after I have made it and I pretty much just toss the pattern into recycling- until I made my first Kwik Sew 3799.

Now, at first I made it one size too small- which the black white and red one is- that is when I learned why many sewists trace patterns first, because you really can't go back and just add the extra 1/4 inch all around and have the pattern work (well you can but its A LOT of work!) So I just bought another one! I had just attended a shirt pattern fitting class with Peggy Sagers and I was pretty sure what went wrong- I have a broad back and I like more room in my armholes. Instead of just making those adjustments I went ahead and just sized up- that way I could just do some simple dart adjustments for the waist circumference- but guess what? one size up fits like a charm! So that's one reason to love Kwik Sew #3799! The other reason is it is so fun to mix and match colors and pipings (pipings not in the pattern but I just added them on)! ANNNND..it easily adjusted to remove the decorative yoke, and to make a shorter sleeve. Luckily the pattern came on nice thick white paper, not the usual "tissue" paper so this pattern a keeper!

The Piping was super easy to make and attach- just baste too the yoke then follow pattern instructions to attach. Here is a good tutorial on piping for home decor- but the philosophy is the same @ Sew4Home

I used snaps- figured WAY easier and more to the shirt style then buttons, but don't be fooled attaching and lining up snap is no joke! I got my Snaps and the little setting tool from Snap Source.

I got to use 4 different prints of fabric for this shirt

for the next one I can easily adapt the yoke to come down further and to be really any shape I want- also someone said the pockets look too high..hmmm not sure on that one, lower might look weird- must research!

I spend 95% of my life in my work uniform or in stretch pants and t-shirts. My Skate night is really the only time I have to wear my hand made clothes and express myself. I really love wearing this one even if it is a little small in the shoulder. I already made two more of these shirts! Need to get some pics up though- Happy sewing!